tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon pressed, headed approaching final furlong, ran on
led, ridden, edged left and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
keen tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish
in touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression final furlong
in rear, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
close up, headway to press leader over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on
held up, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders
dwelt towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
ALICE SPRINGS won Group 1 races either side of a below par effort at Deauville and added to an earlier success in the Falmouth with an emphatic win in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time. Aidan O’Brien’s filly is still improving on that evidence and rates the one to beat. France has a fine recent record in the race and Ervedya, a three-time Group 1 winner including last year’s Coronation Stakes at Ascot, is preferred to Volta and Siyoushake. Arabian Queen has a bit to find with Jean-Claude Rouget’s filly on Coronation running as she drops back in distance while Always Smile was third to Alice Springs in the Falmouth with Irish Rookie further behind. Epsom Icon looks outclassed but Smart Call is harder to assess as she landed a couple of Grade 1 races in her native South Africa back in January and has her first start since.
Always Smile (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Held up in mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and outpaced 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went never dangerous 4th towards finish, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Al Jazi (8-10) at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gf in Jul.
Arabian Queen (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Led, pushed along over 4f out, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind So Mi Dar (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) gf in Sep.
Ervedya (FR) (9-2) 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Ribchester (8-12) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 gd in Aug.
Irish Rookie (IRE) (9-2) 3rd of 12, 2l behind Aim To Please (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 1f Grp 3 stks gs in Sep.
Siyoushake (IRE) (8-10) won at Deauville 1m Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Caointiorn (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Alice Springs (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, switched right under 2f out, ridden and quickened well on outer to lead 150 yards out, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 1m Grp 1 stks (1) Yielding in Sep beating Persuasive (9-0) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Epsom Icon 10-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 16 3/4l behind Sky Hunter (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) gs in Sep.
Volta (FR) (8-9) 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Qemah (8-9) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 stks gd in Jul.
Smart Call (SAF) 8-1 (9-0) won at Kenilworth 1m 2f gd in Jan beating Legal Eagle (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
